Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-14
HOW MR. BLAINEs ANsWER TO
CLEVELAND
Was Received in New foIkHepI n.a
can Joy that the Issue Has Been O'S-
tinctly Made.

The account given In the Geographic
so.,stch. OF Saturday morning last, OF
the way Mr.. Blaine's Paris reply 10 'he
PRESIDENT Free Trade Message was
.acc,ved In New York. strong "a II was,
very iuadequately expressed the remark
able and generally pergading interest ana
evctcment which the views OF the absent
statesmen produced In political ana Du''-
,os. circles. and among men Of all classes
and parties. The Tribune gives several
columns NJ accurate Information careiuiiy
gathered by reporters, showing that busi-
.ss mon bankers, manufacturers.
brokers. lawyers, men of the various oc-
cupations and professions were warm III
their praises of the statesman-like docu-
ment, crushingly answering all the
labored arguments of Cleveland
manifesto against the American system Of
Protection TO American labor. Inc
following ia the Tribune condensed sum
ming up Of the information 1t had gather
ed from all quarters, our space not per
hitting the publication Of the detailed
facts which that journal gathered with
striking enterprise and care:
The interview with Mr.. Blaine discussing the
Presidents message which was cabled from
pari. and printed in the Tribune yesterday
caused an immense sensation throughout the
city. Republicans everywhere hailed 1t with
enthusiastic delight, and the Free Traders
seemed IN awaken To a realization of the full
size Of the Job they had undertaken. 1t was
felt by the Protectionists to he not only di-
rect and powerful blow, but one delivered
lust in the nick of time and by Just the right
man. The prospect of e national campaign
fought on this square issue was welcomed
everywhere, and the fact that the
challenge. ELECTED from the Democratic
leader after so much Annt and effort had
been expended to draw ii forth, had come ut
last and had been excepted by Republicans
everywhere and by their Presidential candi-
date in 1884 IN terms SO plain and unequivo-
cal was received as an assurance that the
commercial interests Of the country would
soon be rescued from the uncertainty and
dread which have so long hung over them.
KEEN APPRECIATION on All SIDES.
The scenes in all places where men meet
in crowds furnished an instructive lesson on
the apprcciatye nature of the american
mind The author of the interview himself
would probably be astonished nj the way it
has been received. Every variety of inter-
probation was put upon it according to the
political sentiments of those who talked it
over But the mere fact that it was on
every body's tongue all day long showed how
great the significance was which the public
attached to its appearance.
The general Republican comment was that
il was the trumpet sound of a magnificent
Republican victory in 1888, and many, with
suggestive quickness, hunted mp the familiar
Blaine button and appeared down town wear
ing 1t couspcuously in their coats These
formed the most amiable portions of every
crowd They were willing to talk it over
either as a lecture on political economy or as
letter of acceptance of the nomination in
SIT was all one TO them. The comment
that the interview. besides dealing brilliant
and effective blow at the Free Trade doctrine
might properly be regarded as an intimation
that Mr.. Blaine was willing to run again in a
campaign that turned on M actual question
of party principle, was frequently made. II
was a comment that never failed to call forth
chorus of commentator and applause.
As n topic of discussion the interview was
merely transferred when night came from the
exchanges and business places to the hotels
and clubs. II seemed to have lost none of
its fascination by time. Its effect was felt in
all directions, and the final result in all de-
bates no matter how much their participants
differed upon the issue, was that il must pro-
duce a profound impression upon the next
campaign, no matter TO whom the nomination
fell. As the Message solidiiied Democratic
supper, for Free Trade. the interview was
felt to elinch and eectrify Republican op-
position